Overview
Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction (VIDD) is a condition where the main breathing muscle — the diaphragm — becomes weak or damaged as a direct result of being on a mechanical ventilator (a breathing machine). When a ventilator does all the breathing work for a patient, the diaphragm is no longer used and begins to lose strength very quickly, sometimes within just 12 to 18 hours of starting mechanical ventilation. This is similar to how any muscle in the body weakens when it is not used. VIDD affects people who are critically ill and placed on a ventilator in an intensive care unit (ICU). The diaphragm muscle fibers shrink, become damaged, and lose their ability to contract properly. This makes it very hard for patients to breathe on their own when doctors try to remove the ventilator — a process called weaning. The main signs of VIDD include difficulty breathing without the ventilator, low oxygen levels, and a feeling of breathlessness or air hunger. Treatment focuses on carefully managing ventilator settings to allow the diaphragm to stay active, using breathing exercises, and physical rehabilitation. There is no specific approved drug for VIDD, but research into protective ventilation strategies and diaphragm pacing is ongoing.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Difficulty breathing without the ventilatorLow oxygen levels in the bloodFeeling of breathlessness or air hungerInability to be successfully removed from the ventilator (failed weaning)Rapid shallow breathing when trying to breathe independentlyFatigue and exhaustion with any breathing effortReduced movement of the diaphragm seen on imagingMuscle wasting of the diaphragmAnxiety related to breathing difficultyProlonged stay in the intensive care unit
Clinical phenotype terms (14)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
7 eventsTesai Care SL — NA
South Valley University — NA
Peking University Third Hospital — NA
Zhongnan Hospital
Children's Hospital of Fudan University — NA
Stanford University — PHASE2
University of Chicago — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction.
3 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: How Early Mobilization Impacts on Diaphragm Thickness in Critically Ill Children
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction
New recruiting trial: Volume Support/Assist Control Mode Ventilation and Diaphragmatic Atrophy
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction
New recruiting trial: Evaluation of heepSync, a Novel Algorithm for Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation of Respiratory Muscles in Mechanically Ventilated Patients.
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction
New recruiting trial: Janus Kinase Inhibition to Prevent Ventilator-induced Diaphragm Dysfunction
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction
New recruiting trial: Electrical Phrenic Nerve Stimulation in Patients With VIDD
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
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Mental Health Support
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How weak is my diaphragm, and how was this measured?,What ventilator settings or strategies will be used to protect my diaphragm going forward?,What breathing exercises or rehabilitation program do you recommend for me?,How long do you expect it will take for my diaphragm to recover?,Are there any medications or treatments being studied that might help my condition?,What signs should I or my family watch for that would mean my breathing is getting worse?,Will I need any special equipment or follow-up care after I leave the hospital?
Common questions about Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction
What is Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction?
Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction (VIDD) is a condition where the main breathing muscle — the diaphragm — becomes weak or damaged as a direct result of being on a mechanical ventilator (a breathing machine). When a ventilator does all the breathing work for a patient, the diaphragm is no longer used and begins to lose strength very quickly, sometimes within just 12 to 18 hours of starting mechanical ventilation. This is similar to how any muscle in the body weakens when it is not used. VIDD affects people who are critically ill and placed on a ventilator in an intensive care unit (
How is Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction inherited?
Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction?
Yes — 3 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction?
25 specialists and care centers treating Ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.